Help with a tough decision

[Savageman69]

Originally Posted by Scenic Driver

It's not a recliner but here's 4 17" Wheels/tires + 4 17" tires in the back of my Golf with room to spare, can't do that with a Jetta.

Actually my buddy just brought home 4 17s with rubber and 4 20 inch truck rims and rubber home in his mk4 jetta...seeing the mk6 jetta is much bigger its very do able....and he still had his front two seats open

[pdt165]

Originally Posted by oilhammer

Response to pdt165: So, you can store luggage out of the weather ON TOP OF the Jetta's trunk lid? Get your ruler out, once the parcel tray is out (which easily comes out in about 3 seconds) the Golf's cargo area is LARGER than the Jetta. It is even stated so in the manufacturer's literature. Also, rear headroom for those rear seat passengers is also better. Again, clearly listed in the literature.

The A4 Golf and Jetta differ on only 3 dimensions: cargo volume, rear head room, and overall length. The Golf gives a greater number on 2 of the 3.

So if you need to carry something LONG and slender, the Jetta's couple extra inches of length may help you, but if you are loading suitcases, the Golf WILL hold more. You just have to stack it up over the rear seat back, near the rear glass. You can even shove an entire recliner chair in the back of a Golf (they even had a commercial.... the 'stinky chair' Golf commercial... look it up on youtube!).

Per VW.com the cargo volume of the 2012 JETTA TDI is 15.5 cubic feet. GOLF TDI is 15.0 cubic feet.

[oilhammer]

Originally Posted by pdt165

Per VW.com the cargo volume of the 2012 JETTA TDI is 15.5 cubic feet. GOLF TDI is 15.0 cubic feet.

Sorry, I was speaking of the previous models, where both the Golf and Jetta ride on the same platform. The new (current) Jetta sedan is a greatly modified platform that shares very little with the current Golf and Golf/Jetta wagon.

Still, that extra .5 cubic feet won't help if the opening simply isn't large enough to swallow the cargo you wish to transport, which is why the hatchback is such a versatile design.

[Sinetv]

Originally Posted by Scenic Driver

It's not a recliner but here's 4 17" Wheels/tires + 4 17" tires in the back of my Golf with room to spare, can't do that with a Jetta.

Easily with JSW!

[Grievous Angel]

Originally Posted by Scenic Driver

It's not a recliner but here's 4 17" Wheels/tires + 4 17" tires in the back of my Golf with room to spare, can't do that with a Jetta.

Deathtrap.

[MaddogTDI]

The Golf's hatch is just amazingly versatile. Never a worry about how to carry large boxes home when we make trips to BJ's or Costco!

[STL TDI]

The MK6 interior quality hub-bub is likely only noticed by the most avid VW fan but to the vast majority of people will likely be a shoulder shrug. I agree with many MK6 buyers who believe that the quality, fit and finish of the MK6 is nicer than any of the comparable cars on the market. I love the look and feel of my MK6 and don't often drive around while feeling my dashboard. I respect the opinions of others but I do believe the rhetoric has drastically overemphasized what is mostly a non-issue.

[Cesar]

I agree with organdonor... the 2012 passat TDI if it meets your budget

[kcfoxie]

If you go to a retailer that sells hot water heaters on a sunday because yours has exploded, and they tell you that they have one in stock but it will be tuesday before it can be delivered, you will kick yourself for not having bought the hatchback that could transport it home.

That's why I have owned 2 sedans to 6 hatchbacks in my life.

That said the Jetta had some cool features -- the 60/40 split rear seat and fold-flat passenger seat ... but you still can't get a 40-gallon hot water heater in the back of it (or a 55-gallon oil barrel...and yes I actually DO haul those around in my bug more often that you'd imagine).

[TDI_Timmy]

Originally Posted by STL TDI

The MK6 interior quality hub-bub is likely only noticed by the most avid VW fan but to the vast majority of people will likely be a shoulder shrug. I agree with many MK6 buyers who believe that the quality, fit and finish of the MK6 is nicer than any of the comparable cars on the market. I love the look and feel of my MK6 and don't often drive around while feeling my dashboard. I respect the opinions of others but I do believe the rhetoric has drastically overemphasized what is mostly a non-issue.

I do agree with you on this - however having owned both I have a slightly different view.

I don't driving around touching my dash, but all the interior materials feel better on the JSW than the Jetta sedan. The console, door panels, rear seat (part closest to door) all feel and look more upscale (among other things). Our car had to go the dealer for some work so they gave us a 2.5 SE sedan, my wife casually knocked on the passenger side dash (passenger air bad area) and it sounded like a hollow plastic log. Again., not knocking constantly on my dash either but the soft touch suff doesn't have that same sound. The glove box is lined with a felt like material as are the front door cubby areas. Just doesn't feel as plasticky. I feel the doors close more solidly on the JSW than the sedan - the JSW has more of that "thunk" sound.

I will say that everything that I touched on a regular basis in my sedan felt nice - the JSW has this and so much more.

I definitely agree that most of the bashing on the MkVI sedan has been overemphasized - I guess that those that are doing the bashing feel VW has taken a (large) step backwards. As most know that decontenting has been going on since the 2006 Jetta. Maybe the general population of the US should be to blame or Detroit for getting the notion out there that there is no such thing as a very nice small car.

This is my second VW - I like their cars but don't consider myself a fan - however, as long as they keep offering the TDI I will probably keep driving them.

Sorry for the long winded and off-topic post - and just my thoughts.

[pdt165]

We can agree that the hatch and sedan both have there positives and negatives. In the end the OP needs to decide which they like best.

[seth1065]

third TDI in 4 years what the heck are you doing to them, I have 29 k on mine in 7 months and can not see getting rid of it for 3.5 more years why so many?

Originally Posted by Dimon80

It's your decision, but personally I like my new 2012. It is roomier than 2010 model (which I owned) and I am not talking about the leg room for the rear seats. More room for the driver/passenger = more comfort. I don't find any issues with the quality of the interior materials and definitely don't have any issues with the performance. I drive 80-100 miles per day and if I take the ramp to the highway at 38 mph rather than 40, I would not loose much time and still be up to a highway speed by the time I merge.
I'd rather spend few more $K on the brand new vehicle rather than buying used. Once again, it's my preference. The cars keep their value very well (this is my third TDI in 4 years), so you would not be getting such a great deal on a slightly used TDI than you would on the brand new with 3 years/36000 miles warranty plan.

That's my nickel

[thebigarniedog]

The current version of the Golf is a nicer car then the current version of the Jetta. By fall, the redesign of the Golf should be out. I am looking forward to seeing it. The problem with the Golf is that they are in more demand then the Jetta, which means: (1) a Golf runs about $4(k) more then the Jetta; and (2) there are and will be no incentives on the Golf (probably will be zero percent on the Jetta in September).

As a general rule on what you should buy, please consider that Golf's are usually reserved for the over-weight people; Stationwagons for those that miss the 1970s imitation wood paneling grocery getters their mom's drove; beetles for the weird chicks and Jettas for the few normal people left out there .

[jpog]

I narrowed my choice down to a 2012 Golf TDI 4-door or a 2012 Jetta TDI Sedan. After about 20 iterations and exercising my dealer's patience, I chose the Jetta. As stated earlier, I liked the fact that I had plenty of luggage space with four people. Also, I liked the fact that it is locked and out of sight. After driving SUVs for a few years, I didn't realize how much I missed a conventional trunk.

As for the "decontenting" of the new Jetta, it was only apparent to me because I was prepped by the forums to look for it. After driving it a few thousand miles, I don't think of it unless... I read the forum again. It's really not a big deal.

My decision really came down to wanting a smaller, spry car. I looked at the Passat, but decided that I really didn't want the German Grand Marquis, footprint-wise. Very nice vehicle, no doubt. Just BIG. I then soul-searched and opted for a conventional trunk, and have no regrets. The car has been everything I need. For reference, I opted for the 6-speed manual, and premium trim level with Navigation.

Good luck!